Meta Quest Closes the Gap With Apple Vision Pro in Latest Update
Meta’s Quest 3 and Quest 3S are already considered by many to be the best value virtual reality headsets on the market. The latest software update for the Quest platforms further closes the feature gap with Apple’s premium Vision Pro headset, bringing enhanced PC integration and improved hand tracking.
Effortless PC Integration
One of the most exciting additions in the new v72 update for the Quest headsets is a streamlined method for connecting your PC to the VR environment. This new feature, currently rolling out to users, allows you to easily pair your Windows 11 machine with your Quest headset using the Mixed Reality Link app from Microsoft. Once connected, you’ll be able to see a “Connect” prompt, bypassing the need to dig through settings menus. This mirrors a key selling point of the Vision Pro, allowing users to enjoy a virtualized version of their Mac desktop within the headset.
While the Quest has offered various ways to interact with Windows PCs in VR, the new update promises a more seamless and user-friendly experience. The update still might require some setup steps initially, but Meta aims to make this direct PC connection the standard for Quest 3 and 3S users in the future. This allows for a more natural approach to working on your PC in VR, potentially opening doors for more productivity applications and engaging multi-screen multitasking experiences.
Hand Tracking Improvements
Another area where Meta is pushing forward to challenge the Vision Pro is in the realm of hand tracking. The Vision Pro boasts impressive hand and eye tracking capabilities thanks to a combination of multiple sensors and cameras. Meta’s Quest headsets, while lacking the same sensor setup, are relying on innovative software solutions to deliver a comparable experience.
The v72 update introduces enhancements to the Quest’s hand-tracking system, promising more accurate and responsive gestures. The company’s video demo highlights how the updated system allows for smoother and more precise interactions, particularly when your hands are in motion. While the Quest controllers will likely remain a more precise control method for now, the improved hand tracking opens up exciting possibilities for more natural and immersive interactions within VR environments.
Closing the Feature Gap
Although Apple’s Vision Pro is significantly more expensive (seven times the price of the top-end Quest), Meta is determined to bridge the feature gap. The latest update brings the Quest closer in functionality, particularly in terms of PC integration and hand tracking. However, Meta still lags behind Apple on other fronts, like wider field of view and eye-tracking technology.
Several new features in the v72 update, including enhanced keyboard detection, are currently being rolled out to a subset of users and will become more widely available in the coming days. As the battle for VR dominance heats up, Meta’s commitment to continuous improvement and user feedback suggests that the Quest platform is poised to become an even more compelling alternative to Apple’s high-end offering.
